I tilt my head to find Ryder finally asleep. His lips are parted as even breaths fan across my neck.
I turn and Daxdyn’s smooth features are relaxed. Calm and serene.
Darrio’s head is turned into my body, resting against my stomach as his heavy sighs skim across my abdomen.
I shift between all of them. It takes effort, but I slip from beneath Darrio’s body and Daxdyn and Ryder’s arms. I tug my jeans on as quietly as possible. My arms shove into my shirt as I open the door.
My steps are unsteady, my legs feeling weak beneath me.
I need a real plan. I need space to think. And I can’t do that when Darrio’s death looms in my mind every time I look at his handsome face.
Darkness surrounds me as I make my way into the dimly lit living room. Flickering light dance across the shadows along the wall.
And there seated before the small fire, is a woman whose face doesn’t possess a single wrinkle despite the worry held in her eyes.
“Why aren’t you asleep?” I hiss at my aunt.
Her head tilts as she pins me with a mocking stare.
“I tried but there was this incredibly loud fuck fest that kept interrupting my sweet and innocent dreams.”
I cock a brow at her, my hip jutting out slightly.
“You did not hear us.”
Her lips part with an incredulous smile.
“I heard the encore loud and clear, darling.”
My eyes close slowly as I make my way over to her and take a seat at her side. The fire warms my face. It’s peaceful tonight.
“You didn’t have to fill Ryder’s head with all that French third base stuff.”
Her thin lips tip up in a sultry smile.
“The thoughts were already there, Kara. I just shoved the thoughts into actions.”
“He knows how to use his dick without your fantastic help.” My head shakes slowly and I try hard not to think about what Ryder said to me less than an hour ago. I’d much rather talk about this.
“Your face is a little sour for someone who just had sex with three beautiful fae men. Unappreciative little thing, aren’t you?” Her boney elbow knocks into mine and I roll my eyes at her despite the smile that’s threatening my lips.
“I—I’m afraid for them.” My voice is a quiet sound that teeters with too much pent-up emotions. “It’s hard worrying about one person. How will I ever survive worrying about three?”
Four. I have to remind myself that soon, there will be another for me to worry over.
My fingers tap lightly against my abdomen in thought. Lady Ivory’s thin arms wrap around me as a heavy breath shakes from my lungs.
“You’ve only ever had to worry about yourself, Kara.” Her head leans against mine as her quiet voice sinks into me. “But you never noticed there were people worrying about you.”
My stomach dips as I realize she’s worried about me for years.
And never once did I worry about her.
She’s strong and resilient.
I never had to worry about her.
But she’s always worried about me.
“No matter how capable someone is, we will always think about them. But stress does nothing for the mind.” She squeezes my shoulder hard and I lean into her. She’s been the only family I have had for so long that I’ve started to take her for granted. I didn’t stop in to see her enough. I didn’t ever tell her how much I appreciated her. I didn’t tell her I loved her often enough. “Don’t worry. Do not ever worry. Take action instead. Find strength in your stresses and use it to change all the things that dwell in your mind. But do not ever waste time worrying about what you know you have the strength to change.”
My heart beats louder as I start to nod.
She’s right. She’s always so smart. She knows just the right thing to say.
I won’t worry about the future.
I’ll change it.
